BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! -Sound Forge - PC

Subject:BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! Posted by: Andreas S. Date:3/30/2005 10:05:43 PM I've now uninstalled SF8 in favour of SF7. I'm taking field recordings (interviews etc) and taking a stereo single and using the channel converter in SF8 to create a mono signal using 50% of each channel. What I get is a mono signal, a 100% sum of both channels. The BIG BLUE SOLID wave form is an ominous sign that there is MUCH wrong with SF8. I mean seriously, this is as perfunctory as processing gets. Stereo --> Mono ...use 50% of each channel. I've tried: 1) inverting one of the channels (phase) just to see if I'm making a mistake there...nope. 2) converting 100% mono to stereo - same results 3) different inputs/recordings/sources - same results - even music for pete's sake...! The problem only seems to affect the one conversion type, but since it's the one I need, and I've had other difficulties with SF8, I'm just giving up. Someone give me a shout when the first patch comes out.
Subject:RE: BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! Reply by: Rednroll Date:3/31/2005 1:56:50 AM I just tried to reproduce what you described and I got the correct results. Do this to be sure. 1. Create a new file (mine is 16bit/44.1Khz Stereo) 2. Goto Tools Synthesis>Simple 3. Create a sinewave with a level of -6 dB 4. Select that file goto channel convert, select preset Stereo to Mono 50% What's the peak level of the mono file? It should be -6dB.....that's what mine is anyways.
Subject:RE: BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! Reply by: mpd Date:3/31/2005 6:40:53 AM There is a workaround for this: http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=3&MessageID=369651
Subject:RE: BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! Reply by: Sonic Date:3/31/2005 10:12:06 AM Yes, this issue is unique to P4/SSE2 equipped machines and has been resolved for the first update. J.
Subject:RE: BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! Reply by: Rednroll Date:3/31/2005 2:37:03 PM Also as another work around that I'm pretty familiar with, since I'm old school Sound Forge and have done it this way before the channel converter existed, this is how it was done in the past. 1. Goto Process>Volume>set to -6dB>OK 2. Goto File>Properties>Format>Check "Mono" Hit OK 3. Select "Mix Channels"> OK Using this method you could even elliminate Step#1 because Sound Forge won't clip it using Floating point processing, and therefore automatically normalize the file for you to 0dBpeak. So actually this method could actually be faster than using the channel converter. Message last edited on3/31/2005 2:42:10 PM byRednroll.
Subject:RE: BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly! Reply by: Andreas S. Date:4/1/2005 9:58:15 PM Okay. So I'll blame this one on Microsoft .NET and p4 architecture. Its still no less frustrating that I need to work around rudimentary processes. I still like Sound Forge. I'll just wait for the first patch and THEN move up to 8.

Subject:BRUTAL: SF8 can't even convert channels properly!

Posted by: Andreas S.

Date:3/30/2005 10:05:43 PM

I've now uninstalled SF8 in favour of SF7.

I'm taking field recordings (interviews etc) and taking a stereo single and using the channel converter in SF8 to create a mono signal using 50% of each channel. What I get is a mono signal, a 100% sum of both channels. The BIG BLUE SOLID wave form is an ominous sign that there is MUCH wrong with SF8. I mean seriously, this is as perfunctory as processing gets. Stereo --> Mono ...use 50% of each channel. I've tried:

1) inverting one of the channels (phase) just to see if I'm making a mistake there...nope.
2) converting 100% mono to stereo - same results
3) different inputs/recordings/sources - same results - even music for pete's sake...!

The problem only seems to affect the one conversion type, but since it's the one I need, and I've had other difficulties with SF8, I'm just giving up.

Someone give me a shout when the first patch comes out.